With The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary now live, many players are asking the same question: “What are the best PvE DPS specs in TBC?”

In this article, we break down the PvE DPS tier list for Phase 1 (Gruul’s Lair & Magtheridon), based on both practical raid performance and real-world data from Warcraft Logs (top 10% parses). While raw damage matters, raid utility and composition are just as important in TBC, so we also take that into account when ranking each specialization.

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How the tiers work?

We use the following ranking system:

• 🟣 S Tier – Exceptional specialization with top-tier damage and/or indispensable raid utility.
• 🔵 A Tier – Very strong specialization with solid damage and meaningful raid contribution.
• 🟡 B Tier – Decent performer, often valued more for utility than raw DPS.
• 🔴 C Tier – Weak DPS performance in raids; playable but rarely optimal.

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PvE DPS Tier List – Phase 1 (TBC Anniversary)

🟣 S Tier (Top Performers)

These specs dominate damage meters or bring critical raid value.

• Beast Mastery Hunter — 1460 DPS
  The strongest overall DPS in Phase 1. High damage, excellent scaling, and reliable performance on almost every encounter.
• Arcane Mage — 1440 DPS
  Incredible burst damage and excellent mana efficiency in early TBC raids.
• Survival Hunter — 1435 DPS
  Slightly behind BM but still extremely powerful, especially with proper raid buffs.
• Destruction Warlock — 1386 DPS
  Strong sustained DPS with great cleave potential and excellent raid utility.
• Fire Mage — 1230 DPS
  Competitive damage with great scaling and reliable performance.

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🔵 A Tier (Very Strong Choices)

High-performing specs that contribute well to raids.

• Fury Warrior — 1290 DPS
  Classic warrior scaling with excellent single-target damage.
• Affliction Warlock — 1232 DPS
  Strong sustained damage, especially on longer fights.
• Shadow Priest — 1232 DPS
  Not the top DPS, but absolutely essential for mana regeneration via Vampiric Touch — many raids bring at least one.
• Elemental Shaman — 1227 DPS
  Solid ranged DPS with valuable raid buffs.
• Arms Warrior — 1220 DPS
  Slightly behind Fury but still a viable choice.
• Retribution Paladin — 1191 DPS
  Lower raw DPS, but excellent utility with buffs like Sanctity Aura.
• Combat Rogue — 1170 DPS
  Reliable melee DPS with good raid presence.

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🟡 B Tier (Situational / Utility-Focused)

Playable, but not optimal purely for damage.

• Enhancement Shaman — 1161 DPS
  Decent damage, but shines more for Windfury and group utility.
• Feral DPS Druid — 1139 DPS
  Useful hybrid, but often better as a tank or healer in raids.
• Balance Druid — 1094 DPS
  Brings Innervate and utility, but falls behind in pure DPS.

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🔴 C Tier (Struggles in Raids)

These specs can work, but are rarely ideal in Phase 1.

• Marksmanship Hunter — Not in top rankings
  Strong in PvP, weak in early TBC PvE.
• Frost Mage — Not in top rankings
  Great control, but poor raid DPS compared to Fire/Arcane.
• Assassination Rogue — Not in top rankings
  Falls behind Combat in most raid scenarios.
• Subtlety Rogue — Not in top rankings
  Primarily a PvP spec in TBC.

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Phase 1 DPS Ranking Snapshot (Top 10% Parses)

For reference, here are the Warcraft Logs Phase 1 DPS rankings (top 10%) for Gruul’s Lair & Magtheridon:

1. Beast Mastery Hunter — 1460 DPS
2. Arcane Mage — 1440 DPS
3. Survival Hunter — 1435 DPS
4. Destruction Warlock — 1386 DPS
5. Fury Warrior — 1290 DPS
6. Affliction Warlock — 1232 DPS
7. Shadow Priest — 1232 DPS
8. Fire Mage — 1230 DPS
9. Elemental Shaman — 1227 DPS
10. Arms Warrior — 1220 DPS
11. Retribution Paladin — 1191 DPS
12. Combat Rogue — 1170 DPS
13. Enhancement Shaman — 1161 DPS
14. Feral DPS Druid — 1139 DPS
15. Balance Druid — 1094 DPS

Read more on WOWTBC.GG – TBC Classic Best DPS Rankings.

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Final Thoughts

In TBC Classic Anniversary, raid composition matters just as much as raw DPS. Specs like Shadow Priest, Enhancement Shaman, and Retribution Paladin may not top the meters, but they can be invaluable for raid performance.

If you want to push maximum damage in Phase 1, your best bets are:

👉 Beast Mastery Hunter, Arcane Mage, Survival Hunter, or Destruction Warlock.